I did not even remember that it was independence day. All along i was calling home, it was about the tobaski activities. It was this morning i told my sister that, i did not remember independence day. The reply she gave was "what independence", i thought she was trying to be funny. I repeated "home independence". She repeated, "what independence, what is there to celebrate"? She continued by saying, "you won't remember it because it does not exist". This kept me quite for a while and i asked myself, what is this myth about independence?
We all loved it during school days, when we have to buy new shoes, uniforms, go to the hairdressers, attend the parade, compete with other schools for the best performance etc etc. But we never asked the question are we really independant?
While both western and African leaders regularly invoke the concepts of interdependence, mutual interest and solidarity, the condition of the poor in Africa continues to deteriorate.
Africa's underdevelopment and indebtedness both are historical phenomena. After the partition of Africa in 1884, the colonial powers (Britain, Germany, France and Belgium) turned the continent into a site for the production of raw materials by exploiting cheap African labor. The raw materials were very important for the industrial revolution of Europe. At the same time, Africa became the dumping ground for European industrial products.
When African countries attained political independence, or rather "flag independence," they found themselves trapped in the existing capitalist world economic order. Instead of disengagement from an exploitative system, many African countries embarked on development strategies based on that system, combining export promotion of primary products and import-substitution industries largely dependent on western markets with financial and technological inputs. While serving the interests of local elites and western multinationals in the short-term, this approach widened social and regional inequalities and bankrupted many African economies. This mal- development is a prime source of Africa's indebtedness.
So i asked myself the same question my sister asked me.
The Struggle Cointinues!!!
Ndey Jobarteh
>From: malik kah <
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>Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list <
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>To:
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>Subject: Re: Happy Independence Anniversary
>Date: Tue, 19 Feb 2002 07:26:30 +0000
>
>>From: malik kah <
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>>Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
>><
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>>To:
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>>Subject: Re: Happy Independence Anniversary
>>Date: Mon, 18 Feb 2002 17:42:10 +0000
>>
>>Beran, I can understand the sentiment you trying to espouse, I wish
>>I could
>>sincerely reply and say happy independence day, but I am sorry I
>>can't for
>>obvious reasons. Instead of independence it is acute dependency and
>>Gambia
>>is sadly is not the exception.
>
>I hope there comes a time in the
>>future
>>when the African people can genuinely wish each other a happy
>>independence.
>>The meaning of independence then would be for real and not just the
>>flying
>>of flags and riding on a cascade of limousines queuing to to
>>welcome the
>>president
>>when conversly the national debt is spiralling beyond control.
>
>I
>>hope a
>>time comes when the true meaning of independence is inclusive and
>>not just
>>confined to dark suited, kaftan, folks with cigars.
>>
>
>Beran allow me not to spoil the spirit of the well intentioned wish
>>and say
>>happy DEPENDENCY DAY!!!!!!. I do not wish to be a kill joy have a
>>nice one.
>>
>>>From: Beran jeng <
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>>>Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
>>><
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>>>To:
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>>>Subject: Happy Independence Anniversary
>>>Date: Mon, 18 Feb 2002 11:43:40 -0500
>>>
>>>G-L,
>>>
>>>I like to take this opportunity to wish all Gambians a happy
>>>independence
>>>anniversary particularly, the president and his government.
>>>I pray that progress,prosperity,and good governance continue to
>>>guide and
>>>hunt our dearest motherland for The Gambia our homeland we strive
>>>and work
>>>and play that all may live in unity.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>Beran
>>>
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